On Jan. 30, 2012, Westbrook Brewing Co. released the first incarnation of a beer that would eventually become a national phenomenon with hype equal to—and in some cases, even surpassing—the hype surrounding beers like 3 Floyds Dark Lord and Foothills Sexual Chocolate.

Stillwater Artisinal Ales was founded in 2010 by Brian Strumke, a former techno DJ and producer who went by the name Brian Stillwater. Strumke started out as a home brewer who won various competitions, usually in lesser known categories using beers that incorporated different herbs, spices and wild yeasts. In 2010, he released Stateside Saison, a 6.8 percent ABV saison, and so began Stillwater Artisan Ales.